Alteration of Hair Growth in Mice by Circulating Exosomes from Xinji Fine-Wool and Small-Tailed Han Sheep

This study examined the effects of circulating exosomes from Xinji fine-wool and small-tailed Han sheep on hair growth in 21 mice, divided into three groups. The group injected with exosomes from small-tailed Han sheep (SPE) showed significantly larger hair follicle diameters and increased melanin content, indicating enhanced hair growth, while the Xinji fine-wool sheep exosome (XPE) group had smaller hair follicle diameters. The study highlights the role of miRNAs and signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin and Shh/Hedgehog, in hair follicle development. These findings suggest that sheep exosomes can influence hair growth across species, with potential applications in livestock breeding and hair growth treatments. Limitations include challenges in distinguishing primary from secondary hair follicles in mice.